Compare the2025 Mazda CX-5VS 2025 Hyundai Kona

The CX-5 has standard Whiplash-Reducing Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Kona doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-5. But it costs extra on the Kona.

Both the CX-5 and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Mazda CX-5 is safer than the Kona:

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 4 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (187 vs. 147) and 53 lbs.-ft. more torque (185 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The CX-5’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 66 more horsepower (256 vs. 190) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 195) than the Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-5 is faster than the Kona N Line/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-5 gets better mileage than the Kona:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the CX-5 (except Turbo)’s fuel efficiency. The Kona doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The CX-5 has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The CX-5 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N Line/Limited’s standard fuel tank (15.3 vs. 13.2 gallons).

The CX-5 has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The Kona’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

For better stopping power the CX-5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

The CX-5 stops shorter than the Kona:

For better traction, the CX-5 has larger tires than the Kona (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17).

For superior ride and handling, the Mazda CX-5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kona 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The CX-5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the CX-5 flat and controlled during cornering. The Kona 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-5’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Kona (106.2 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The CX-5 handles at .81 G’s, while the Kona N Line AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the CX-5 is quieter than the Kona N Line AWD (66 vs. 69 dB).

The CX-5 has 2.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona (103.6 vs. 101.2).

The CX-5 has .9 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 2.9 inches more rear hip room than the Kona.

The CX-5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona with its rear seat up (29.1 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CX-5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Kona doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The CX-5 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona has no towing capacity.

When two different drivers share the CX-5 Preferred/Carbon/Premium/Turbo, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kona doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kona doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The CX-5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The CX-5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The CX-5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Kona’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the CX-5 Premium/Turbo has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kona doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the CX-5 and the Kona offer available heated front seats. The CX-5 Premium Plus/Turbo Premium/Turbo Signature also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-5, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Mazda CX-5 outsold the Hyundai Kona by almost two to one during 2023.